Size The Indian elephant is up to 6.4m in length and around 2-3.5m in height.
Habitat & Ecology Asian elephants are extremely sociable, forming groups of 6 to 7 related females that are led by the oldest female, the 'matriarch'. Like African elephants, these groups occasionally join others to form herds, although these associations are relatively transient.
Diet More than two thirds of the day may be spent feeding on grasses, but large amounts of tree barks, roots, leaves and small stems are also eaten. Cultivated crops such as bananas, rice and sugarcane are favoured foods. Because they need to drink at least once a day, they are always close to a source of fresh water.
Ganesha, the much beloved elephant god of India. Followers look to him for help with wealth and knowledge. They worship him at the start of a ritual or at the beginning of a journey. He is the guardian deity of Hinduism. The largest and strongest animal of India, the elephant is gentle, affectionate and loyal; these are also the qualities of Ganesha. Although he is a powerful god, he is known as a loving, forgiving deity. Ganesha’s large head is symbolic of the wisdom of the elephant. His large ears allow him to hear everything and be able to separate good from bad, reality from the unreal.
ELEPHANT
Size
The Indian elephant is up to 6.4m in length and around 2-3.5m in height.
Habitat & Ecology
Asian elephants are extremely sociable, forming groups of 6 to 7 related females that are led by the oldest female, the 'matriarch'. Like African elephants, these groups occasionally join others to form herds, although these associations are relatively transient.
Diet
More than two thirds of the day may be spent feeding on grasses, but large amounts of tree barks, roots, leaves and small stems are also eaten. Cultivated crops such as bananas, rice and sugarcane are favoured foods. Because they need to drink at least once a day, they are always close to a source of fresh water.
Ganesha, the much beloved elephant god of India.
Followers look to him for help with wealth and knowledge. They worship him at the start of a ritual or at the beginning of a journey. He is the guardian deity of Hinduism.
The largest and strongest animal of India, the elephant is gentle, affectionate and loyal; these are also the qualities of Ganesha. Although he is a powerful god, he is known as a loving, forgiving deity.
Ganesha’s large head is symbolic of the wisdom of the elephant. His large ears allow him to hear everything and be able to separate good from bad, reality from the unreal.
(adapted from
http://colorsofindia.com/indianelephant/
http://www.fullstopindia.com/hinduism-101-ganesha-hindu-elephant-god
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/elephants/asian_elephants/indian_elephant/)
Are you ready for a multiple choice exercise? http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47621644/elephant.htm